Metallic railway signal-torpedo.



F. BUTCHER. I v

METALLIC RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-9, I917- Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

2 SHEEIS-SHEET x. I

F. BUTCHER. METALLIC RAILWAY SIGNAL -TORPEDO.

' APPLICATIOHFILED Aus.a 19x1.

1 ,284;,620. Patented Nov. 12,1918.

2 Swans-sneer 2.

UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

FRANK BUTCHER, 0F VERSAILLES, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO CENTRAL RAILWAY I SIGNAL COMPANY, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATIO orNEW' JERSEY.

METALLIC RAILWAY SIGNAL-TORPEDO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

Application filed August 9, 1917. Serial No. 185,302.

The object of my invention is to provide a torpedo of this character of a th1n sheet of lead foil or other metal Which, when exploded, is fused by the heat from the ex plosive compound, throwing it off in fine flakes or particles and thereby avoiding injury from any flying parts of the metal from the torpedo.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap and effective torpedo having certain details of structure and 001m bination of parts hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of my improved metallic railway torpedo.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the several parts of which my torpedo is formed,-showing them in their separated relation.

Fig. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a modified form of torpedo embodying my invention. v

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the form of torpedo shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the several parts of which my torpedo is composed, showing them in their separated relation.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the form of torpedo shown in Fig. 1, and showing part of the closing disk broken away.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the torpedo.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 represents the main body portion of my improved torpedo, which is preferably made of very thin sheet lead foil and stamped from a disk of said foil and having its ends extending downwardly, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. This sheet of lead foil is made very thin so that the heat from the explosive compound will fuse the same so that there will be no'flying particles upon the explosion of the explosive compound. The explosive compound 2, as shown, is in tablet form and is placed within the body portion 1, from below, as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 3 of the drawing. After the explosive compound is placed in the body-portion 1, a disk 3 is placed in the body-portion resting against the lower face of the explosive This disk 3 is provided with two openings 4 and 5, and through which is threaded the railattaching strap 6. The openings 4 and 5, as shown, are spaced some distance from the edge of the disk, so that the lower edge ofthe body-portion can be crimped inwardly upon the disk as indicated at 7, Fig. 1.

The disk 3 is preferably held against the explosive compound 2, by means of a thin film of water-proofing material, as indicated at 8, Fig. 2, so as to prevent any water entering through the slots 4 and 5 from coming in contact with the explosive compound 2. The lower crimped edges 7, of the body of the case, are cemented to the lower face of the disk holding the several parts together and also preventing moisture from entering the case and coming in contact with the explosive compound. The rail-attaching strap 6 is also cemented to the disk and also to'the crimped edge 7 of the body-portion, as fully shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In' the modification shown in Fig. 4, the body-portion l is constructed in precisely the same manner as that'shown in Fig. 1, and a disk 8 is first placedin the upper end of the body portion so as to reinforce the top of the torpedo case. The explosive compound 2 is then placed in the case and a disk 9 placed in the case and cemented to the lowe'r'face of the explosive compound 2. A disk 10 is then placed in the body-portion against the disk 9 and is provided with the slots 11 and 12 through which is threaded the rail-attaching strap 13. The lower edges of the body-portion are crimped as indicated at 7, the same as in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The rail-attaching strap is cemented to the disk 10 and also to the crimped portion 7 of the body-portion, the same as described in respect to the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. A fourth disk 14: is then placed over the crimped or folded end 7 of the case and is provided with openings 15 and 16 through which the rail-engaging strap 13 passes, and this disk 1% is tightly cemented to the disk 10 and also to the crimped portion 7 of the body of the torpedo. This disk 14, as shown, forms a torpedo having a smooth lower face and also it providesthe necessary strength and base for the tOrpedO. It will be observed from the foregoing that the member 1 is approximately cup-shaped and the completed torpedo is of a circular box-like form.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a metallic torpedo made from a thin sheet of lead foil in which the explosive compound is fully protected and at the same time providing the necessary strength to the case to withstand the ordinary handling of the torpedo. In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, inclusive, the explosion of the explosive compound fuses the thin lead foil body-portion and absolutely prevents the throwing off of any large parts of the body and thus avoiding injury to anyone standing close to the torpedo when exploded.

In the modification shown in Figs. l to 8 inclusive, 1 have provided the disks 8, 9,10 and 1% which strengthen both the upper and lower faces of the torpedo, yet producing a torpedo, the sides of which will readily fuse by the heat from the explosion of the explosive compound and prevent the flying of any large particles of the case when the torpedo is exploded. These disks also serve as attaching means for the rail-engaging strap and also protect the explosive compound at its upper and lower faces.

While I have shown and described a torpedo in which the explosive compound is placed therein in tablet form, it will be understood that the same could be in powdered form without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A circular box-like torpedo comprising a cup-shaped member composed of foil fusiblc metal, an explosive therein, a paper disk connected with the explosive by a waterproof cement, the peripheral flange and cup-shaped member cemented to the disk and a rail-attaching member connected with the said disk, whereby a circular box like torpedo is provided in which its peripheral edge is fusible under the heat of explosion to prevent flying particles.

2. A circular box-like torpedo composed of a metal foil eup-shaped member, an explosive therein, a disk outside of the explosive, the edge of the cup-shaped member turned inward and cemented to the disk, a rail attaching member connected with the disk, the peripheral edge of the circular boxlike torpedo composed of thin metal fusible under the heat of explosion, for the purpose described.

3. A circular box-like torpedo comprising a cup-shaped member composed of foil metal fusible under the heat of the explosion, a paper disk in the top of the cup -shaped member and a paper disk at the bottom of the cup-shaped member, an explosive between the disks, a rail attaching member connected with the disk, const-itut-ii'ig a cir cular box-like torpedo having a fusible foil metal peripheral edge, for the purpose described.

e. A torpedo comprising a body-portion made of thin sheet foil, a disk in the upper end of the body-portion, an explosive tablet within the body-portion below the disk, a disk in the body-portion below the explosive compound and cemented thereto, a disk in the body-portion below the last mentioned disk and having parallel slots, a rail-engaging strap passing through said slots, the lower edge of the body-portion crimped over on the last-mentioned disk and a disk cemented to the last-mentioned disk and to the crimped lower edge of the body-portion and having-slots through which the rail-engaging strap passes.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK BUTCHER.

Witnesses:

Scorr M. STEWART, M. VVILsoN STEWART.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of ?a.tents, Washington, D. C. 

